The butterfly was among the best-loved decorative motifs of the Qing court, carried in auspicious themes such as butterflies at play in spring and butterflies in love with flowers (蝶恋花). This piece sets a butterfly at its heart, ringed by lotus and Chinese flowering crabapple (海棠), a wish for blessings that arrive one after another and a hall filled with gold and jade (金玉满堂). Its name, a butterfly's dream among flower shadows (梦蝶花影), recalls Zhuangzi's (庄子) old parable of the man who dreamt he was a butterfly and woke unsure which was the dream. It comes in two forms, each drawn from a different treasure in the Palace Museum.
Key Features
- The butterfly (蝴蝶), a Qing court emblem of joy and good fortune, long carried in themes such as butterflies in love with flowers (蝶恋花)
- Ringed by lotus (莲花) and Chinese flowering crabapple (海棠), together a wish for blessings arriving in succession (福迭而至) and a hall full of gold and jade (金玉满堂)
- An inner face worked in the manner of mother-of-pearl in a dreamy violet, with an outer ring of gradient enamel and fine glitter for a shifting, iridescent light
- Two forms from two imperial sources, the pocket mirror from a Tang butterfly-through-flowers bronze mirror, the pocket watch from a Qing gilt-bronze enamel pocket watch
- The pocket watch keeps time on a precise quartz movement, with a violet sun-ray dial, a gilded butterfly at its centre, and luminous butterfly accents that glow softly in the dark
Who This Is For
For the woman who keeps beauty close at hand and finds meaning in the old stories. A considered gift for a mother, a daughter, or a dear friend, and a quiet companion for anyone drawn to the flowering of the seasons. Equally at home tucked into an evening bag or resting on a dressing table among one's most treasured things.
The Two Styles
- Pocket Mirror: drawn from a Tang dynasty butterfly-through-flowers bronze mirror (蚺蝶穿花纹镜) in the Palace Museum. A single-sided disc approximately 8 cm in diameter, its face worked in the manner of mother-of-pearl with a raised butterfly and a gradient enamel border, finished with a gradient tassel. Presented in a slide-open box with a cloth pouch, box approximately 12 × 12 × 3.2 cm
- Pocket Watch Mirror: drawn from a Qing dynasty gilt-bronze enamel pocket watch (铜镀金珐琅嵌钻石怀表) in the Palace Museum. A working pocket watch on a precise quartz movement, with a dreamy violet sun-ray dial approximately 5.9 cm in diameter, a gilded butterfly at its centre, and luminous butterfly accents. The crown lifts to set the time. The lid opens to reveal a glass mirror inside, and the back carries a butterfly relief and an engraved authentication mark. Supplied on a stainless steel chain approximately 50 cm long, presented in a colour gift box approximately 12.3 × 12 × 3 cm
Materials & Details
- Pocket Mirror: zinc alloy body, face finished in the manner of mother-of-pearl, high-definition glass mirror, resin and glitter detailing, gradient tassel
- Pocket Watch Mirror: zinc alloy case, brass dial and hands, PC crystal, glass mirror inside the lid, stainless steel chain, precise quartz movement, luminous butterfly accents
- Both worked in gradient enamel with pearl-style accents
- Presented in a hardcover gift box
- Measurements taken by hand and may vary slightly
The Luminous Finish
The butterfly accents on the pocket watch absorb light and glow in the dark. If the glow is faint, hold the piece close to a torch or UV light for a short while to charge it, then view it in darkness.
A Note on Authenticity
Lower-priced copies of these mirrors circulate widely in the market. They can resemble ours in a photograph, yet they differ in the materials used, the quality of the enamel and plating, and the care taken in their finishing. Every Tang Heritage mirror is a genuine article, sourced and finished to the standard we stand behind, and its quality shows in the hand. We ask that you purchase only from Tang Heritage or our authorised channels, and that you exercise caution with listings priced well below ours, as they are unlikely to be the same piece.
Care
Keep away from hard or sharp objects to protect the surface design. Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth. Keep the pocket watch away from water and moisture. Store in its box or pouch when not in use.
